Two grass fires are burning in the Tweed Valley, one at Tanglewood Flat near Cudgen, and a second fire at The Rock at Eviron.
The first fire has closed the off-ramp at Clothiers Creek (eastbound) from the Pacific Highway to Watty Bishop Road, with 18 hectares already burnt out.
Motorists wishing to travel east on Clothiers Creek Road are being forced to find alternative routes.
The fire broke out mid-afternoon yesterday, with flames up to eight metres in height at times. RFS units, supported by a water-bombing helicopter, are helping to bring it under control.
RFS superintendent Dave Cook said work on the fire had progressed well on developing containment lines overnight. He told ABC radio this morning ‘we are confident we can contain the fire today’.
A chopper will be launched this morning to monitor the fire from the air.
The second fire, at Eviron Road, broke out around 6pm and according to the RFS website was ‘being controlled’ yesterday afternoon.
The RFS still has alerts in place over both fires this morning and are urging landowners to contact them before starting any hazard reduction burns.
Further south, some 14 fires are burning, mostly in the Clarence Valley. One fire came close to Grafton Base Hospital yesterday afternoon before it was put out. Police believe it had been deliberately lit.
